As we look ahead to the Community Foundation’s 100th year in 2027, I’ve been spending time reflecting on what it really means to reach a milestone like this — not just marking the years behind us, but being intentional about what we are building next.
The first 100 years of the Central New York Community Foundation mattered. They mattered because people showed up. Because generosity took root. Because, over time, we became part of this region’s story.
The next 100 years matter even more.
Here’s where that leads us. Our Centennial is not about a single celebration or a look back frozen in time. It’s about using this moment to strengthen the foundation beneath us. That means listening more deeply, opening more doors, and making sure more people see themselves as part of shaping Central New York’s future. It’s about reintroducing ourselves to parts of this region that may not know us well yet. And showing, in very real ways, that the tent is big enough for all of us.
You’ll see us centering voices that haven’t always been centered. You’ll see us creating more opportunities for residents, nonprofit leaders and young people to share their ideas, their creativity and their hopes for the next generation. And you’ll see us leaning into what we do best: bringing people together around shared purpose, with compassion, humility and resolve. Some of that work is already beginning.
This spring, we’re expanding our partnership with Resilia to launch a five-county capacity-building ecosystem for nonprofit and grassroots organizations. This means practical, day-to-day support — tools to strengthen operations, clarify impact, plan for the future and connect with peers locally and nationally. It’s about helping organizations not just survive, but grow with confidence and sustainability.
And in 2026, we’ll once again invite residents to help decide how community dollars are invested through a multi-county participatory budgeting process. This is democracy at the local level. Neighbors will come together to surface ideas, shape solutions and vote on what matters most where they live. Real voices. Real decisions. Real impact.
These are early signals of a much larger commitment. Into 2027 and beyond, you’ll see us tell our story in new ways, engage people of all ages, and create space for learning, creativity and shared decision-making — all grounded in the belief that everyone has something to give.
It sounds big, because it is. Sleeves rolled up. Hearts open wide. Bringing everyone along.
If you would like to sign-up for our participatory budgeting process, please visit: cnycf.org/pbform
